A quick google search with “Seniors Tech India” or any key phrases/keywords related to seniors and technology, sometimes throws up results such as “iPad for Seniors for Dummies” linked to a shopping search on Amazon. Dummies is a brand of books meant to simplify technology/software in general.
The pervasiveness of modern-day technologies on an average senior citizen’s life has been well documented over the years. At least there is a perceived notion of tech playing a role of companionship for seniors who are alone or have been abandoned by their families. For good or for bad, tech has navigated its way into the homes and lives of senior citizens. At this point, we must mention that we at Unmukt believe, technology must play the role of an enabler and cannot replace human companionship.
Recent Trends
Going by trends and media reports in recent times, we know that the usage of technology in the context of senior citizens have primarily been around the instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp or social media apps such as Facebook. The underlying intention obviously is to keep in touch with loved ones and the world at large. Interestingly the native enablement and empowering functionalities of technology haven’t been used optimally, by seniors. What could be the tech reason?
Let’s analyse why popular social media platforms & video platforms such as YouTube have been lapped up by seniors. The answer lies in UI/UX. The User Interface & User Experience while using a Facebook or a YouTube is better and easier, discounting their larger popularity otherwise. It is therefore an imperative for solution providers and product sellers in the senior space to make clean UI/UX a priority while developing tech applicants for seniors.
Applications
We at Unmukt believe that the following apps/technologies have a great UI/UX in their respective industries and would be beneficial for senior citizens:
- Big Basket (Grocery Delivery)
- Practo (Book doctors/Telemedicine)
- Amazon (e-commerce)
- Google News (Online News)
- Weather.com (Weather)
- Medium (Long form stories/blogs/current affairs)
- Just Dial (Online directory)
As a premise, most technology in the world is created with an objective of enablement and empowerment and the internet is no different. We urge all senior citizens to use applications which will make their day to day life easier and smoother, apart from instant messaging and social media.
Sty tuned to Unmukt. Soon we would be hosting a tech learning series, aimed at making the lives of Seniors smoother.
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We have written about the best apps for seniors in India. Read here.